Medical students build careers, continue legacy through Bagby Scholarship at Independence Health System

In November 2001, Dr. Andrew D. Bagby, a first-year resident in the Latrobe
Hospital Family Medicine Residency, died tragically. To honor his memory, the
Andrew D. Bagby Family Medicine Scholarship was created and is awarded annually
to first- or second-year medical students with a demonstrated interest in pursuing a
career as a family physician. Funded by his parents, family, and friends, and
administered by the Latrobe Area Hospital Charitable Foundation, the scholarship
enables aspiring family physicians to gain inpatient and outpatient experience at
Independence Health System in the career they wish to pursue while lessening their
financial burden.

This year, eight medical students — the highest number of awardees per year to date
— were selected as scholarship recipients. The recipients must embody the
distinguishing characteristics of Dr. Bagby — an engaging demeanor and the ability
to relate with ease to people at all levels. As part of the Latrobe Hospital Family
Medicine Residency, the scholarship enables two- or four-week segments for the
medical students to explore specific career options, while gaining experience in the
following areas: office medicine, nursing home visits/geriatrics, cardiology,
orthopedics, general surgery, hospital medicine including the ICU, hospital pharmacy,
obstetrics and pediatrics.

Meet the 2025 Andrew Dr. Bagby Scholarship recipients: Sarah Dougherty and Karlie
Vandeborne, enrolled at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM);
Bijan Kamalipour, Emma Lewis, Angelina Makhoul, Hannah Shanley, and Tyler
Znaczko, enrolled at Duquesne University’s School of Osteopathic Medicine
(DUQCOM); and Dalila Zigani, enrolled at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic
Medicine (PCOM). All students are currently enrolled in a Doctor of Osteopathic
Medicine (DO) program.

Sarah Dougherty
Sarah Dougherty, 24, from Kinnelon, New Jersey, earned her bachelor’s and master’s
degrees from Farleigh Dickinson University. Her motivation for pursuing family
medicine occurred from a few different sources: athletics, academics, and family.
“When I tore my bicep tendon as a competitive swimmer, I was faced with treatment
options that prioritized temporary relief over long-term healing. This experience left
me questioning whether a more comprehensive, preventative approach could have
changed my outcome. Family medicine offers the opportunity to be that provider—the one who looks at the bigger picture, finds solutions that align with a patient’s lifestyle,
and fosters long-term well-being rather than temporary fixes,” said Dougherty.
Her favorite academic course, Darwinian Medicine, also played a role in shaping her
future. She even considered pursuing a PhD in Evolutionary Biology. But ultimately,
she chose medicine.

“Evolution relates to the DO program because you’re searching for the underlying
reason for disease. I’m interested in the ‘why’ and ‘how’ behind complex biological
processes, and family medicine demands a similar investigative approach. I’m also
looking forward to developing a relationship with my patients.”
Though she applied for the scholarship to gain more exposure to family medicine and
experience from the clinical side, she had insider information about the program.
“My sister loved it,” said Dougherty.

And speaking of family, her mother is a doctor, her father is a professor, and her other
sister is a biology teacher.

Whether calling that biology or simply running in the family, the scenario puts the
“family” in the Dougherty’s “family medicine” path.

“Through this program, I’ve been able to see a little bit of everything, and we’ve also
been able to build relationships with the residents. This step is so essential for getting
clinical experience, so I’m just very grateful for the program,” said Dougherty.

Bijan Kamalipour
Bijan Kamalipour, 25, from Frisco, Texas, earned his undergraduate degree from
Baldwin Wallace University.

Kamalipour said he discovered his passion for medicine while working in the
emergency department, but it wasn’t necessarily the emergency medicine part that he
enjoyed.

“I found that my passion for medicine came from patient education. I enjoy seeing
patients over the course of their treatment. You stick with those people,” said
Kamalipour. “Becoming a family medicine physician aligns with my goals of patient
education because often times we are the first contact for patients seeking care, and I
as a physician can empower my patients to make a well-educated decision.”

On the education front, Kamalipour was pleased with his experience during the
scholarship program. He said it provided him with exposure to what a physician does
daily, which is exactly what he wanted to learn.

“I appreciate being able to manage a broad scope of patients with different
backgrounds. I also value the fact that family medicine provides comprehensive care
to patients while also being relationship-driven,” he added.
Kamalipour sent his application to the program right on the deadline, and it’s a good
thing he did.

“I’m grateful for this experience. The staff and residents were excellent. They were
really helpful and offered lots of mentorship, so I’m thankful for the whole program
and the culture within it.”

Emma Lewis
Emma Lewis, 24, from Wexford, Pennsylvania, earned her undergraduate degree from
the University of South Carolina.

During her gap year, Lewis worked as a medical assistant for a family medicine
practice in the Greater Pittsburgh area. One instance at the practice defined her
motivation to pursue a career family medicine; she learned that one of the family
physicians was her late uncle’s doctor.

“[He] immediately remembered him—not just medically, but personally. He recalled
Corey’s love for classic cars, his athleticism, and even shared stories I had never heard
before,” said Lewis. “It’s connections like this that have inspired me to pursue a
career in family medicine. I want to build long-term relationships with my patients,
understand their lives beyond their charts, and support their health across every
stage.”

She underlined one provider’s approach that she saw during the scholarship program.
“We were in a rural area with patients representing a wide range of ages from babies
to the elderly, everyone came from different backgrounds, and [the provider] met
them where they are. Anyone could follow along with what she said, and she worked
with her patients on treatment preferences,” said Lewis.

She also noted her own philosophy.
“Family medicine embodies the kind of continuity, compassion, and connection I
hope to bring to my future practice,” said Lewis.
Highlighting the generosity of the residents and the provider guidance, she praised the
community involved in the scholarship program.

Angelina Makhoul
Angelina Makhoul, 24, from Pittsburgh, completed her undergraduate degree at
Temple University.

Makhoul saw the doctors and residents build rapport with their patients and make
their patients feel at ease.

“That’s the draw of primary care,” said Makhoul. “The specialty of family medicine
gives me the opportunity to support and make meaningful change in the lives of my
patients through the building of long-term relationships. I’ve seen how doctors get to
know their patients and build a connection.”

Osteopathic medicine emphasizes caring for the holistic person, and Makhoul’s vision
includes that.

“I strive to become a physician who understands patients as an entire person, looking
further than their lab and imaging results,” she said.

Makhoul described a particularly pivotal moment that demonstrated the broad scope
of training family medicine doctors undergo.

While working as a Patient Care Specialist at a Free Health Center prior to the
scholarship program, she scheduled a patient from Equatorial Guinea for her first
primary care visit in the United States.

During her visit with the family medicine doctor for a routine pap smear, it was
determined that the patient was pregnant.

“Our team connected her to many resources and continued to support her throughout
her pregnancy. Months later, she returned to the clinic, proudly introducing us to her newborn son whom she named after her family medicine physician. What an honor,”
said Makhoul.

The inaugural DUQCOM Class President noted the responsibility of a family
medicine physician:

“You are the first line responder for your patient’s health. You are the start of their
healing journey. I love the idea of being prepared for anything and being educated
broadly to meet their needs.”

She said that the scholarship program helped her to discern her specialty.
“I’d like to thank the Bagby family for the scholarship and the opportunity to learn,”
Makhoul added.

Hannah Shanley
Hannah Shanley, 24, from Forest Hills, earned her undergraduate degree from the
University of Rochester.

Shanley decided to pursue family medicine so that she could combine multiple fields
into her medical career, and she credits the scholarship program with definitively
cementing her vision for becoming a family medicine physician.

"The experience solidified that family medicine is what I want to be doing. I was able
to experience the more rural aspect of family medicine and the different ages that
family doctors care for — from a newborn to someone who’s 85 years old,” said
Shanley.

Of interest to her isn’t just caring for different patients in different stages of life — but
for the same patients throughout their lives.

“I also enjoyed seeing the continuity of care with doctors caring for their same
patients for 20-30 years and the relationships that are part of that.”
She said she couldn’t have participated in the program without the financial support,
and this scholarship kept her on her path.

“I hope to be the kind of doctor who listens well, stays connected to the community,
and is ready to care for whatever my patients need. I fully believe that family
medicine will allow me to do this and take care of all patients to the best of my
ability.”

Karlie Vandeborne
Karlie Vandeborne, 23, from Steubenville, Ohio, completed her undergraduate degree
at Slippery Rock University. She decided to pursue a career in family medicine to
practice continuity of care, help people get the care that they need, and see generations
of people. In fact, her path was shaped by individuals from multiple generations.
“Babysitting a young boy who overcame cancer as a baby—and is now facing a
diagnosis of autism—further reinforced my commitment to family medicine,” said
Vandeborne. “Watching him navigate the challenges of childhood with such
resilience, while providing a listening ear and compassionate heart to his family,
taught me the importance of long-term care and the role of family physicians in
supporting both patients and their families through life's varied challenges.”
Caring for her grandmother with dementia also led her to her career.

“Assisting my grandmother through her daily routines, managing her health needs,
and supporting her emotionally during her decline deepened my understanding of the
complexities of aging and the profound impact compassionate, continuous care can
have on a patient's well-being,” she said.

She also served as a Medical Assistant at an OB/GYN practice, which contributed to
her career focus.

“Not everyone is able to track their healthcare themselves, and I’m glad to be the one
who will help them stay on the right track and follow them throughout their lives,”
said Vandeborne.

She expressed appreciation for the flexibility of the student program coordinator to
accommodate individual interest, and she also praised the mentorship and guidance of
the physicians.

“I’d like to thank the family and friends of Dr. Bagby for the opportunity they’re
giving to my colleagues and me to learn and to continue his legacy. It’s been very
eye-opening and fulfilling. I just appreciate that and for them keeping the scholarship
available for us,” said Vandeborne.

Dalila Zigani
Dalila Zigani, 24, from Burkina Faso, West Africa, earned her undergraduate degree
from Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia.

Zigani is pursuing family medicine with a global, yet local approach.

“It’s a field where I can serve anywhere in the world,” said Zigani. I like small, rural
towns. Help is always needed, and I feel that with this career in family medicine, I can
help the most number of people.”

She also shared one particular experience from childhood that informed her career
choice.

“It was the middle of class, and my best friend had to be rushed to the emergency
room. When we met in our first year at boarding school in Burkina Faso, West Africa,
she told me about the undiagnosed disorder that caused the bleeds, among other
symptoms, but that was my first time witnessing it. I felt completely helpless.
Witnessing my closest friend suffer hurt me deeply and inspired me to become a
primary physician like the one whose treatment was most effective for her.”
Zigani is on her way.

“This scholarship gave me the ability to learn something more about what I’m
interested in. Having the financial backing as additional support means a lot, and I’m
really grateful,” said Zigani.

Tyler Znaczko
Tyler Znaczko, 23, from Cranberry, completed his undergraduate degree from
Allegheny College. His inspiration to enter family medicine came from seeing his
great aunt’s battle with multiple types of cancer and the people on her healthcare
team.

“Through her receiving organ transplants and treatment by an incredible team of
physicians, I got to see miracles happen. It’s an incredible process to think about,
people putting someone’s organs inside someone else. The extra years my family and
I had with my aunt because of the treatments she received were so special, and people
made that happen. People gave me extra time with someone I cared about,” said
Znaczko.

He also enjoyed his time at the Meadville Area Free Clinic working with a more rural
population. He said he liked being able to provide a service that area residents
wouldn’t otherwise have.

“Witnessing the dramatic improvement in my patient's health — reducing emergency
department visits from multiple times a month to just once over a calendar year —reinforced my belief in the transformative power of primary care,” said Znaczko. “In
primary care, you have the power to stop a problem from happening.”
During his two weeks of the scholarship program, three days stood out to him. He saw
the same patient on three different days in three healthcare settings: he saw the patient
at an outpatient facility, the same patient in the emergency department (ED), and then
the same patient again at an outpatient facility.

“'Continuity of care'” is a concept we always learn about and we’re told it’s important,
but through experiences at the ED and multiple outpatient facilities, and a little bit of
luck, I got to see a very unique perspective of what it really is and how it happens. Not
everyone gets to see and truly appreciate how it occurs and what goes into it,” said
Znaczko.

Znaczko said he’d never heard of a program like this anywhere else, thanking the
physicians, donors, residents, and everyone who made the opportunity possible.